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Differential Diagnosis for Chest Pain Radiating to the Right

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Musculoskeletal Pain: This is often the most common cause of chest pain radiating to one side, including the right side. It can be due to strain or injury to the muscles or ribs, and is usually exacerbated by movement or deep breathing.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD can cause chest pain that may radiate to the right side, especially after eating or at night. The pain is often described as burning and can be accompanied by regurgitation or dysphagia.
  • Pulmonary Embolism (PE): While less common, PE can cause chest pain that radiates to one side, including the right, and is often accompanied by shortness of breath, tachypnea, or cough.
  • Pneumonia or Pleuritis: Inflammation of the lung or pleura can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing and may radiate to the right side if the pathology is localized to the right lung.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Myocardial Infarction (MI): Although less typical for MI to present with pain radiating only to the right, it is crucial not to miss this diagnosis as it can be life-threatening. MI pain is often described as heavy or squeezing and can be accompanied by diaphoresis, nausea, or shortness of breath.
  • Aortic Dissection: This is a medical emergency where the inner layer of the aorta tears. The pain is often severe, tearing, and can radiate to the back or to one side of the chest, including the right side.
  • Pulmonary Embolism with Infarction: Similar to PE, but with actual lung tissue death due to the embolism, which can cause more localized pain.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Pneumothorax: Air in the pleural space can cause sudden, sharp chest pain that may radiate to one side and is often accompanied by shortness of breath.
  • Esophageal Spasm or Rupture: These conditions can cause severe chest pain that may radiate to the right side, though they are less common.
  • Costochondritis (Tietze's Syndrome): Inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum can cause sharp pain that may radiate to the side, including the right side.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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